Whittington Hospital urges patients to take off pyjamas

WHITTINGTON staff are urging patients to take off their pyjamas as the hospital ushers in a new get-up-and-go regime.

From this week patients are being asked to get dressed in a day time wear with families and friends encouraged to pick up dirty washing and help with make-up, hair and shaving.

The idea is that patients who get dressed as they would do at home are more likely to get up walk around rather than lolling about in the jim-jams. Research has shown that patients who are more active on the wards are likely to recover quicker and be available for discharge.

Chief nurse Michelle Johnson said: “It isn’t normal for people to spend all day in pyjamas at home, so why should they do this in hospital? Getting dressed makes it more likely that our patients will get out of bed and move around, meaning that they will regain strength and can go home sooner.”

She added: “To do this, patients need support from their loved ones – family and friends can help by taking home clothes that need a wash and bringing in fresh outfits. This is a way that everyone – staff, family and friends – can come together to help patients get back to their own homes faster.”